Doctor: Remarkable that Va. officer survived shot to head

Officer Peter Laboy suffered a 'catastrophic' gunshot wound to the head, but doctors are optimistic

By Meredith Somers
The Washington Times

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Doctors were cautiously optimistic Thursday about the condition of an Alexandria police officer who suffered a "catastrophic" wound when he was shot in the temple during a routine traffic stop.

Standing outside of the MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where Officer Peter Laboy had arrived by helicopter on Wednesday, the hospital's chief medical officer, Dr. Janis Orlowski, said surgeons had removed bullet fragments from the officer's head, and though he was unconscious he was able to move his arms and legs.